Secretary Kerry Attends G-8 Foreign Ministers Meeting in London

On April 10-11, 2013, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry traveled to London for the G-8 Foreign Ministers Meeting. The group addressed a number of international issues and made a number of commitments, including endorsing the Declaration on the Prevention of Sexual Violence in Conflict. The group called for urgent action to address the culture of impunity and to hold perpetrators to account for acts of sexual violence committed in armed conflict.

With respect to the conflict in Syria, the G-8 Foreign Ministers called for greater humanitarian assistance and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting a Syrian-led political transition. The group also addressed Iran and North Korea's continuing nuclear and ballistic missile activities, and discussed the need to create lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East through direct negotiation. You can read more about their discussions in the G-8 Foreign Ministers Meeting Statement.

During a break in the G-8 meetings, Secretary Kerry observed the changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, where an Argentinian tourist recognized the Secretary and stopped for a photo. Secretary Kerry also posed for a photograph with Tony Smith, an employee of the U.S. Embassy in London for 47 years, and commended Smith for his service.

Secretary Kerry also signed the condolence book for former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. In a statement, Secretary Kerry said, "The United States has lost a dear friend, and the world has lost a transformative leader who broke the glass ceiling in global politics. ...We celebrate especially the way, with a hand outstretched across the Atlantic, Lady Thatcher strengthened the Special Relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom -- a relationship that remains a driving force for freedom, justice, and democracy."

Secretary Kerry departed London for the Republic of Korea, China, and Japan, where he will meet with his counterparts April 12-15. Follow @StateDept on Twitter and go to www.state.gov for the latest on his trip.

Comments

Comments

Cam

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Australia

April 12, 2013

Cam in Australia writes:

Where's Australia here?

Ashim C.

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India

April 13, 2013

Ashim C. in India writes:

Multi dimensional UN operation in Mali can be a model for Afghanistan too. That operation should be mandated to identify the various tribal leaders in Afpak, who matter and engage with them to understand the priorities of their people and how best their aspiration can be met by harnessing local resources available in the region . For a change the leadership of the UN multi dimensiinal operation should be given to China with or without other regional stakeholder like India, with both reporting jointly to UNSC and GA. Time has come to test China's strengths in conflict resolution in harmony with interest of all stakeholders and that should be projected to people of China and rest of the world. China, particularly, has a willing human resource, financial strength & strategic strength for the task in which China has strength. Let China prove it can accomplish what both US & Russia failed to.